#so i could keep it long but grrrrrrrrrrr

[laugtherhyena]

So -2+2 readers how would y'all feel about an extra long chapter?

[chamgomlem]

Guild Introduction {Aria Amberlight}

She had only been in this area for an hour, and already she felt like the murk and sludge that had polluted the waters of Blacklake had stained her skin and clothes. So much for finding a new and brilliant place for a temporary stay, this place was in the middle of a rebel war. Keeping her profile low and slipping through the shadows, the elf's eyes pierce through the dark. It's lucky that she had great vision in a situation like this, it truly came in handy for hazards.

Unfortunately just because she could SEE well, did not mean that she could avoid everything well enough. One slip of a single foot, and Aria found herself stuck in sludge. Seriously, no matter how hard she tried to pull herself out, the sludge was stuck to her like glue. Her jaw tightened, the wood elf settled her weaponry down in order to wipe away some of the nasty gunk. Her wolf, meanwhile, stood on guard. Ears pointed upward, tail still motionless to hone in on his focus.

"Grrrrrrrrrrr...!"

"Hey, quiet down, pup. I'm trying to get out." Aria hushed her comrade, her attention turning back to the stinking muck. Just one more good kick, and she SHOULD be able to slip out...

"Grrrrrrr!!"

"Shh, quiet!"

"GRRRRRRR GRAWW-!"

Quickly, hearing her wolf suddenly burst into a loud snarl, Aria's eyes darts up in time to meet a rotting corpse with the most rank stench that had ever hit her nose.

Body suddenly recoiling back upon instinct, the Ranger felt her hand reach over for her weapons that she had settled down. At the same time, while her wolf had jumped up to take a nice nasty chomp of the zombie's leg, an arm had shot out from the muck and scum.

Startled, a surprised scream rips from the elf's lips when the hand grasps her own arm. The same black goop had dribbled down the sickly pink skin, and with great strength, the zombie's arm attempts to pull her in one direction. Its plan, she could register, was to get her to suffocate in the muck by pulling her in!

"Gross! Get away from me!" Lack of knowledge of such a creature made the Elf scared. Her free hand grasping the hilt of her sword, she swiped and sliced the zombie's arm clean off with one fellow swoop.

A brilliant idea, because now she was free!

A horrible idea, because now the zombie's arm was still latched to her, and it was digging its nails right through the fabric of her leathered shirt.

Cringing in fear, Aria was about to call for her wolf when suddenly-!

WZZT-! A sudden rain of fire arrows came spouting out of nowhere, clipping the zombie arm and causing it to fall right off of her. The rest had made their marks on the sludge zombies in front of her. Each one casting a crimson glow as their bodies burned into a crisp; a scream ripped out from their jaws as her wolf finished the job and tore them apart.

"Hey-! Are you ok? If you can fight, pick up your weapon! There's more incoming!"

The voice-! Aria's attention draws to a pirate-dressed elf who had halts her step right next to her. Her posture tense, arm pulled back as another arrow released from the elf's bow and straight into a zombie's skull. Such a handling of a bow at an expert level, Aria finally snaps her attention to her bow and grabs for it. Her foot pulled free, Aria quickly mimics the other elf's stance.

"I can absolutely fight!" Her words housing confidence, Aria released an array of arrows towards the newly formed sludge zombies. Except, most of them missed... except for one, which had nailed one zombie in the knee. Her wolf, with its fur bristled, tackled the zombies she had not hit, and with the last shower of arrows from the unknown elf beside her, the zombies quickly dissolved into nothingness.

The fight was over before she had the chance to even blink, and still she stood in silence. Simply put, she was bewildered by what she had just seen.

"There. Watch where you're going next time, alright? Next time there might not be another fellow elf to help you out of your sticky situation." A tone that could have been serious, but the other elf's tone held a sense of a knowing tease. Aria should have felt embarrassed by being saved by another person, but in reality, she felt gratitude.

She needed to know how to use her bow at that level, and perhaps... she could help her.

"Wait...!"

The elf had stopped in her tracks, her head turning as a brow raised in curiosity and confusion. Why had Aria stopped her? 

“Please... if it’s not too much trouble, would you guide me to somewhere safe to rest for tonight?” The request is shy, and Aria already felt a heat of embarrassment rise up from her face.

“I know it’s a tall order, but i’m a little desperate... I don’t have much, but I can offer my skills however much you need. I’m great at hunting, and I can weave together some durable clothing made from the cold forest itself.” Her offer fell embarrassingly off her tongue and the elf looks at the other for a quiet moment.

“I promise I won’t get in the way.” 

The expression upon the other elf’s face was unreadable at first. Lips pursing, finger coming up to stroke the side of her chin, she seemed to be contemplating something. The wait was agonizing, and Aria could already feel herself sweat. Her wolf, who had shook the blood off of his fur, had politely settled down by her feet. He, too, was watching the other elf with raised ears. 

Then, she finally spoke. 

“Alright, I think I know where you can stay for now. In fact, I think a guild like mine can use someone like you. Come, I’ll lead the way and show you. Then, when you’re rested up, you can show me what you know based on your bow there.” An arm came forward, awaiting for Aria to grasp the owner’s hand- to which, she did without hesitation. She was not going to miss this moment. 

"I promise you won't regret this! I, Aria Amberlight, shall be as useful as I can be! Mark my words on it!" Her smile couldn’t be happier, and her wolf already sprung to his feet with an excited wag. 

“It’s a pleasure, then! You may call me Nina, and while we’re at it, let’s get out of this stink hole.” A pleased grin on her lips, the two shook hands proudly. Ah yes, this was going to be absolutely perfect for all of them! 

Curious eyes widened in awe, Aria almost collapsed due to exhaustion, tiredness, and bewilderment from hearing about this supposed guild from Nina. Both had found a safe haven away from the monstrosities that lurked in the darkness; gathered by the fire, Aria had questioned where Nina was from, and what life was like here. 

She had answered back about the guild, their mission, what their goals were and what she had been doing here. It all sounded like some kind of fantastic dream, that Aria couldn’t even rip her eyes away from the story telling elf. The way she made it sound was as if the guild was like a home- 

No, not just a home. A place where people were needed.

People like her, and those that needed it. People like herself, too. 

“I would be honored to join, if I may.” Aria began as she began to sip on a wooden cup of water she had been handed. 

“I have actually been searching for so long for something like this.” A sad smile on her lips, the ranger placed her cup down and smiled sincerely at Nina. 

“I may not have a lot to offer... but even though we just met, I will help you fight for the cause. Who knows, maybe a skill or two I have learned from the cold forest will bring you many victories!” She chuckled. Of course, hopefully, that would mean she wouldn’t step into anymore traps! 

[insanetwocubes]

Lol how the fuck do I translate all this to English?

First of all, Ahem! I’m still here. Second of all, real answer, you just kind of say the words-- you know this.

(Yeah, I was just making excuses. Duh.)

Excuse me, bitch.

You’re excused.

Wow.

What! Look. You are clearly unwanted.

But clearly not unneeded.

OIWQESDHOIELKWDJF

Think of what makes you do the same thing to me!

No, that’s different! I’m not! You!

But you want to be!

Four! Out of line!

Grrrrrrrrrrr. I DON’T KNOW HOW TO MAKE YOU UNDERSTAND! I NEVER KNEW HOW TO MAKE YOU UNDERSTAND! Why do you have that disgusted glare whenever I happen to hint that we are similar?!

Don’t act like you don’t do that too!

I don’t think of you as someone fundamentally lower than me!

Then stop! Doing! This! *gestures*

You think I pity you?! Don’t be disgusting!

What other reason would anyone be so.... eager to help?

I don’t know whether to be hurt or angry-

(It’s clearly not about that. It’s about my problem.)

So you just want to stand still? Forever?!

Four. Ow. Hey.

I don’t pity you, you stupid idiot. Look. For as long as we existed together, there was always a One who---how do I describe it-- she always--she was always really brave? No. That’s not it. She did these things like stand strong in order to do what’s right, right? She was lyke the leader. She knew how to keep peace and how to make things fair. And I don’t care what was going on in the physical world at that time, because the way she acted here earned my respect. She lyke didn’t put you into a box y’know? She just accepted you no matter what and lyke rolled with it. And she was never afraid to say when she was against something. And through all that will power lyke made herself heard, y’know? Lyke whatever she says goes and if you have something to say against her, she will listen without fear of being hurt.

If you want me to go back in time or something-

No. Look Flare. What I’m trying to say is. I respect you. Unconditionally. From back then on. I’m not doing this because you’re someone who needs help. I’m doing this because---man, this is hard to explain. I’m doing this as a team member. I’m doing this knowing that if I were to ditch you, I’d be alone. And I don’t want to be alone. I’m doing this because we’re partners or whatever. And I’m doing this because I just want us to--y’know--Stay together. 

And I don’t. For the love of stars. pity you. 

So lyke the One that earned my respect in the mindspace world, she was a fearless god. Nothing could hurt her. I don’t see why you can’t do the same here. I know you haven’t changed. You’re still the same vibrant pink I fell in love with. 

....Four. Lol if this was a “get godly” pep talk all along, you could’ve just gotten to the point XD

Lolololol I was kind of figuring it out as it went along lololol

Thanks. I think. Unless you’re manipulating me... lololol

~u>

No. Don’t do that lolool

~Flare